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Voigtlander at PMA Las Vegas 2003
The annual PMA photo show opened in Las Vegas March 1st.
I was fortunate to visit with Mr. Kobayashi, CEO of Cosina. We discussed his new planned Voigtlander products, existing product improvements, and my wish list of new Voigtlander products, among other things.
I am now the proud owner of one of the only two 35/1.2 Voigtlander Noktons in the Americas. The other 35/1.2 is in Tom Abrahamsson's camera bag. If you are new to rangefinders, the 35/1.2 is the fastest production coupled 35mm rangefinder lens ever made by any manufacture in any 35mm rangefinder mount. The 35/1.2 has 3 Aspherical elements, is styled like a larger 35/1.7, and made in M mount only. The M mount is necessary due to the large rear element. This does not signal a change for Cosina Voigtlander to start switching the screw mount lenses to the less versatile M bayonet which mounts on fewer cameras. Although the 35/1.2. will be sold with a detachable hood, there is also an optional Leica style vented hood available. The 35/1.2 went on sale in May 2003, SEE PICS.
Plans for the commemorative R2S NHS camera in classic Nikon Rangefinder mount are well under way to becoming a fact. The new SC 50/1.5 and 85/3.5 arrived in May 2003. July will probably see the 28/3.5 and 50/2.5.
May 2003 introduced a new Voigtlander Prominent lens adapter to use classic Voigtlander Prominent lenses made in the 1950's on classic Nikon or Contax mount rangefinders with FULL rangefinder coupling. It works great and is superbly machined. Fans of these lenses, especially the original 50/1.5 Nokton, should love using it with TTL metering on the Bessa R2S or R2C. Introduced May 2003.
Voigtlander introduced the Pentax Screw Mount Bessaflex TM SLR in July 2003. With all metal top and bottom plates, it's a robust classical style SLR with LED metering in 42mm screw mount. I believe it is only Pentax 42mm screw mount camera currently in production in Japan, not sure about the rest of the world. It has a silicon meter, LED readout, Copal shutter, and takes the standard Voigtlander Trigger Winder and grips also used on the Bessa T and Bessa R2. Stop down metering was chosen to be compatible with virtually any 42mm screw mount lens. If I am not mistaken, it is also the only metal bodied 35mm SLR currently in production in Japan, with the exception of the Nikon FM3A.September saw the introduction of the new SL 12/5.6 and 15/4.5 in Nikon F mirror lockup mount. With the F-S adapter they will also fit classic Nikon, Contax, and Kiev rangefinders -- the widest lenses ever for those lens mounts. October will see the SL 180/4, initially available only in Nikon AIS mount. Also introduced in September 2003 was the SC 28/3.5 for Nikon and Contax Rangefinders, and the S 50/2.5 for Nikon Rangefinders.
Yet another 35mm Bessa Rangefinder is planned for release towards the end of 2003. It does not have AE. Like many Cosina Voigtlander products, it will be unique among production 35mm RF cameras. That is all I can say for now. I will leave it to others to guess what it will be, but I will give no confirmations.
As always, I am amazed at Mr. Kobayashi's willingness to make cameras and lenses that no other company will. He has a true commitment to classic cameras and the photographers who enjoy shooting them. Thanks Mr. Kobayashi.
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Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright © 2003 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.